It has been a magical season thus far for the Buffalo Sabres. Hockey fans around North America are even taking notice. There have been many articles written, and now attention is being put on the team as they look to finally break their 14-year playoff drought.
Now though, as the Sabres continue their push toward the playoffs, one of the most overlooked aspects is how they have rewarded and finally given their loyal fans something to root for after such a long postseason absence.
Buffalo and Western New York have always been loyal to their hockey team, but since 2011 they have had so little to cheer for and so many moments where the fanbase could have turned on the organization but have stayed loyal.
From trading away star players to the last place finishes to embarrassing losses, it has been a long run of heartache for the fanbase. Now, however, as they can almost taste the postseason, it seems they are being rewarded for their loyalty.
Minus years with Covid-19 restrictions, the Sabres have at least averaged over 15,000 fans at the KeyBank Center since 2003
In the 2013-2014 season, when the Sabres finished in last place, they averaged over 18,000 fans at home.
They have shown up even despite the team having diminishing returns. Now, the fanbase can be rewarded with finally have a strong team that may be the one that breaks the drought.
It speaks to a larger loyalty but the city of Buffalo. The Buffalo Bills had a 17-year playoff drought in the NFL, but the Bills continued to sell out before the team became a playoff contender again.
It is up to the Sabres if players ranging from Tage Thompson to Colten Ellis can be cherished as much as current and former members of the Bills such as Josh Allen and Devon Singletary.
Despite the issues on the ice over the years, the Buffalo area has constantly continued to follow the team and the NHL itself. In 2024, despite once again missing the postseason, the city was third in Stanley Cup television ratings behind cities in Florida. The Florida Panthers were playing in the final that season.
I remember in 2018, when I attended a Sabres home game with my wife. It was hard to watch as they lost against the Dallas Stars, 7-1. It was a moment where you realize how far the team had to go as fan.
Now, as the Sabres are staring at a playoff berth, many fans can at long last see the light at the end of the tunnel and on the ice.